[Animal modeling]-Observation of pulse wave velocity and arterial wall structure in spontaneously hypertensive rats of different ages

  Objective Through the measurement of pulse wave velocity (PWV) in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) of different ages, and the structural analysis of the SHR aortic media cross-sectional area (MCSA) during the same period, to reveal the vascular physiological changes in different growth stages of SHR.

  Method PWV measurement and MCSA analysis were performed on SHR of 4 months, 6 months, 8 months, 10 months, and 12 months using color Doppler ultrasound and blood vessel pathology analysis.

  Results With age, the PWV of SHR began to increase. The PWV of 12-month-old SHR was significantly higher than that of 8-month-old, 6-month-old and 4-month-old rats (P<0.05). The PWV of 10-month-old SHR was significantly higher than that of 6-month-old and 4-month-old rats (P<0.05). MCSA analysis showed that with increasing age, SHR aortic MCSA also showed a gradual upward trend.

  Conclusion With the increase of age, SHR arterial compliance becomes worse, the vascular elastic function decreases, and the degree of arteriosclerosis increases.